Monday, January 1, 2018

Take Care Of Your Moth Orchids

By Donald Evans


Orchids are elegant, beautiful and so delicate, and they look just lovely on any window. Moth orchids, also called phals, or Phalaenopsis, are especially popular, and it isn't complicated to grow them successfully. They are native to southeast Asia and Australia, but they can be grown just about anywhere, but inside. They have characteristic large, floppy leaves and a spike full of large, beautiful flowers.

The flowers are really large, up to four inches in diameter. They can come in all imaginative colors, as well as in color variations, with or without stripes. The flowers are placed on one elegant, long spike, up to 18 inches long. In fact, although there is usually only one spike on each plant, some larger ones may have a few. There can be up to 20 flowers on one spike, but six or seven is more likely.

If you aren't sure if your plant is really a phal, ask someone experienced or try to check it on the Internet first. Different types of orchids require different types of care, and it's better to be sure about it. Moths prefer temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees and indirect or filtered sunlight. Direct sun could burn their leaves. The best place for keeping your moths is the east window.

Moths prefer indirect or diffused light. Direct light can be quite dangerous for them, and it might burn their leaves. Early morning sun is the best for them. On the other hand, if your orchid doesn't receive enough light, it probably won't re-bloom soon enough. If it doesn't re-bloom for six months or so, it's probably because it doesn't get enough natural light.

Plant your new moth in a clay pot filled with bark mix, there are several types designed especially for orchids. In any case, you should never use various potting soils for this purpose. Moths require substrates that dry easily and allow the roots to get enough air. Plastic pots can also be used. The important thing is that the pot has enough holes on the bottom.

Watering is always important, but too much water is more dangerous than too little. In this case, water your plant maybe once a week, but only if you think that it is needed. This means that if you check the soil, and it is still wet, there is no need for watering yet. Do not pour water on or in between the leaves, and pour it until it comes out from the holes on the bottom.

Fertilize the orchid once a month, with appropriate orchid fertilizer that doesn't contain urea. Urea might damage the root tips, and other sources of nitrogen are better for this purpose. Dilute the fertilizer in the water first, and use milder solution that the one that is recommended. Make sure that this solution doesn't touch the leaves.

Keep the temperature in the room in between seventy and eighty degrees, your orchid will be pleased about it. During the night, the temperature should never be lower than sixty degrees. When buying your orchid, make sure to check the roots. If they are brittle and very hard, the plant will probably not survive, and if they are really squishy, it was over-watered. This plant may be saved if you trim those roots and re-pot the plant.




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